Here’s to you, Hurmuzachi [Radauti, Romania]

I spent 6 weeks in Radauti, Romania on an GIP exchange, teaching at a local Highschool (Colegiul National Eudoxiu Hurmuzachi). It’s only been two weeks since I’ve left but I miss my students and Romania terribly. Sometimes it is hard to explain to others your experience as no one can truly understand if they were not there themselves, but here is my post from my personal blog to show how much this internship as meant to me.

Words can’t accurately describe my feelings towards the people and friends I’ve met at this Highschool. SO! to those who I didn’t have the chance to talk to before I left, or to those who felt like I didnt spend enough time with them or talked enough… here are my closing thoughts and feelings.

Where to start….
First of all, I wanted to thank you ALL for welcoming me into your high school and giving me this opportunity to interact with y’all. It was one hell of a time and I will never ever forget it. ever. As I said in my speech in the closing ceremony, I’ve taught in many countries around the world, including my own but I say this from the bottom of my heart: You guys are the very BEST.

Why?
Not only did you solider through my boring classes, lectures, speeches and activities, not to mention stay after school for another 1.5 hours (who even does that), you all have been so kind to me.
I know its hard to pay attention in class sometimes, but you guys have been absolute model students.
My heart aches (in a good way) to know that some of you live in neighboring towns and will wait to have class with me.. seriously I don’t even know how to repay that.
You have made my “job” so enjoyable and fun that time flies by whenever I’m “teaching”. I really do appreciate the attendance and effort most of you have made and I can’t thank you enough.

I know most of you face problems (who doesnt) in life, such as thinking about the future, parent problems, money, job, peers etc etc
However, I just wanted to say that after meeting and interacting with all of you, I know that each of you individual are AMAZING people, all in different ways but AMAZING nonetheless.
The respect, compassion, leadership, responsibility, that you have shown to me and to your fellow classmates astonishes me for students your age (I know, I know, I’m not that much older that you guys but still)
Many of you have talked to me about your future goals, dreams and aspirations, and I wanted to say Thank you for trusting in me.
I know this sounds cliche, but I really do geniunely mean this, and some of you have asked me if I’m just being “polite” by saying these kinds of things, but trust me I dont say things I dont mean.
Some of you have seen the video: If money were no object, but I just wanted to repeat some of the words I`ve said: do what makes you happy. Don`t do it for the money, for your parents or for anything else. once again, Do what makes you happy. If you do, everything will fall in place, I promise. Sometimes we have to fail over and over again, and work so hard it may not seem possible, but with hard work, dedication, passion… everything will work out, I promise you this.
I know that I have no authority to tell you what to do in your life, but know that my ear is always open. Whatever you guys may want to do in life, if it makes you happy, I encourage and support it.

Here is the video again for those who may have been absent for my classes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZhIjGIdLQ4

I can see potential in each and every one of you, you are all so smart in different ways, funny, kind, and amazing in the best ways possible. I am really lucky to have met you. My heart literally melted when I asked the question “so what have you learned from me” and when I heard things such as respect, compassion, non-judgemental attitudes… those words mean EVERYTHING to me, it made working for this trip, and spending my summer in Radauti SO SO WORTH IT.

I know I didnt say this to you guys before I left but I will say it now. Although I may have been your “teacher”, I have learned soo much from you guys. I think I have learned more from you guys than you have learned from me. You guys have made me respect differences in culture, people, attitudes, religion etc even more. Many of you know that I don’t live in the same town as the one which I was born in, I moved so far away that I haven’t seen any of my family and friends for two years… but you guys have taught me lessons on love & respect towards family and friends. I can’t even describe it but you guys are seriously the most respectful and loving teenagers I’ve ever met.

To those who hung-out on the daily with me (you know who you are), I can`t have asked for better friends. The dedication, friendship, love and feelings I have towards you guys are overwhelming. It sucks that I have to leave, and only time will tell when I`m back, but know this: you guys are stuck with me for life
I will never forget the camping, nights-out, `punishments`, talks, activities we have done, and I cherish each and every moment we have spent together.

To those who left me presents before I left, know that I have kept each and every single letter, trinket or flower… Although I have to carry it around Europe with me the next 2 months, it is no question I will do it, and they will have a special place in my home once I get back.

Once again, thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you. It has truly been an HONOR to have met each and every single one of you. You guys all have a special place in my heart. I don`t even think this post can describe my feelings truly but hopefully it comes close enough. I just wanted to let you guys know how much I appreciate, love and miss you. Its funny how its been like 2 days and I`m already nostalgic.
Nowhere in this world will I ever meet people so dear, special, kind, awesome, funny, smart as the people I have met in this high school.

Finally, I wanted to say that I will always be there for whoever needs me. Some of you guys have me on facebook but if not add me, or add me on yahoo messenger (karenn.lamm) or email, karen.lam2@mail.mcgill.ca. I dont care what you guys want to talk about, or what problems you guys have, no matter what, I will listen and reply. Any problem or issue, big or small, deserves attention.
I truly do want to keep in touch with you guys as I want to hear about the accomplishments, and other amazing things you guys will accomplish in your life. I know that each and every one of you will have beautiful lives, and I am so grateful that I will be part of that, even if it is a distant memory, I am honored to have a place in it.

“Surround yourself with people who make you happy. People who make you laugh, who help you when you’re in need. People who genuinely care. They are the ones worth keeping in your life. Everyone else is just passing through”
You guys have been that to me and much much more. I can only hope to have been the same to you guys.

I hope that I made sense, sometimes its hard to pin down my true emotions and feelings, but I hope that this did some justice.
ANYWAYS, keep in touch, stay golden, be kind to each other, and no matter what, stay true to yourself, and I promise everything will work out. Here is my favourite quote one last time, ” This too Shall Pass”

Here’s to all the friends I’ve made, all the people I’ve met, all the food I’ve tried and loved, to all the tears of happiness and sorrow because of my departure, to all the conversations I’ve had, to all the laughter and little moments, to the nights I wont remember with the friends I wont forget, to all the things I’ve tried, to each and every single one of you …. Here’s to you, Hurmuzachi